On Wednesday night, the Panama Canal was honored as a nominee for the 2018 Lloyd’s List Americas Awards’ Environment Award in recognition of its pioneering Green Connection Environmental Recognition Program and related initiatives. Representatives from the Panama Canal Authority were among a series of key maritime figures celebrated at the gala event last night in Houston, Texas, the company said in its press release.
The Environment Award, presented by London-based maritime industry publication Lloyd’s List, acknowledges exceptional programs working to reduce pollution in the marine environment caused by maritime sources. Alexis Rodriguez, Environmental Protection Specialist, attended the gala on behalf of the Panama Canal.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Panama Canal launched the Green Connection Environmental Recognition Program in June 2015 to recognize customers who demonstrate excellent environmental stewardship and encourage others to implement technologies and standards that reduce their carbon footprint. The program consists of three components: the Green Connection Award, the Environmental Premium Ranking and the Emissions Calculator. Together, the three tools bolster the program’s work promoting emissions reductions by recognizing and incentivizing vessels that comply with the highest environmental performance standards.
This nomination follows the Canal’s almost 105-year history of offering shippers an unparalleled environmental route. Its all-water passage requires fewer cargo movements compared to freight transportation via air, truck or rail. And given the shorter traveling distance and larger capacity it offers, the Panama Canal reduces fuel consumption and therefore emissions, generating less GHG compared to other routes.